Leeds victim fears attacker will be freed TWO years into 20-year sentence

Robert Tuck at his home in Leeds. Picture: Simon Hulme

Tony Gardner

Published:00:00Tuesday 07 June 2016

THE victim of a dangerous violent thug left seriously disabled for the rest of his life fears his attacker could be allowed to walk free just two years into a 20 YEAR sentence.

Robert Tuck and his family have been “enraged and disgusted” after being informed that Latvian national Alfz Baronins could be moved from his category A prison in the UK and returned to his home country.

Alfz Baronins.

A letter from the Probation Service states they do not know know how Baronins’s sentence will be “administered” if he is deported.

Mr Tuck was left for dead in a pool of blood after the unprovoked attack by Baronins. He underwent life-saving surgery after his head doubled in size from the swelling to his brain.

Mr Tuck, a former cross country champion, has been left with extensive neurological problems which have affected his speech and ability to write. He is unable to use his arm and is likely to have to walk with the aid of a stick for the rest of his life.

The 32-year-old said he was horrified to receive a letter from the National Offender Management Service warning him that his attacker is being considered for return to Latvia.

The letter, which contains spelling errors, states: “I can now advise you that the offender has (sic) Alfz Baronins who is being considered for transfer from the United Kingdom to Latvia to continue serving a sentence of 15 years imprisonment.

It continues: “National Offender Manidgment services (sic) will not be in a position at this point to know how the prisoner’s sentence will be administered if transfer is agreed.

“It remains for yourself to submit any representation against transfer and these will be taken into consideration by the Secretary of State.”

Mr Tuck said the news is the latest example of how he feels let down by the justice system.

Mr Tuck said: “That man has served 13 months and somehow the system is being manipulated so that he is the victim.

“I am the one left with the life sentence because of the injuries Baronins inflicted on me.

“This feels like I have been attacked all over again.

“I have been let down from day one by the justice system but no one is held accountable.

Describing his shock at seeing the letter, he said: “Right up until that day I used to be a very patriotic person and felt proud of my country.

“Then that letter came through the door - on St George’s Day - and I felt numb with shock. I feel ashamed that my own country is treating me like this.

“It feels like the Government are sending him back to Latvia as a money saving exercise and couldn’t care less about whether a victim of a serious violent crime gets proper justice.”

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “This was an awful crime. Our thoughts are with Mr Tuck and his family and we are in contact with them regarding their concerns.

“It is government policy that foreign national offenders should wherever possible serve their sentences in a prison in their own country and not at the expense of the British taxpayer.

“Where appropriate, the views of victims or their families are taken into account at the earliest opportunity and before any decision is made.”